Vandals Mar Heritage Trail

FARMINGTON — Town crews have been at work trying to remove graffiti that vandals painted onto the old railroad bridge that carries the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail across the Farmington River.

The bridge, which carried trains until 1991, has been altered to allow bikers, hikers and other trail users to rest on benches as they look out over the river.

But sometime before Friday afternoon, vandals spray painted obscene and odd messages and other graffiti on a concrete wall and benches, the asphalt surface and on the steel fencing.

Police Sgt. Bill Tyler said police are investigating. Several officers on each shift carry bicycles on their patrol cars and ride on the trail, so there is a steady police presence there, he said.

``There's no shortage of bike patrols,'' Tyler said. ``They're up there quite a bit.''

Public Works Director John McGrane said town workers have been to the bridge to begin cleanup. They power-washed what would come loose, and plan to return with coatings and sealers to cover what couldn't be washed off, McGrane said.

``We've had a little bit of vandalism up there, but nothing bad,'' McGrane said. ``Unfortunately, when it gets in concrete it's hard to get out when [the concrete is] textured.''

What can't be removed will be covered, McGrane said. Paint on the asphalt will be covered with something similar to driveway sealer. On the concrete, another coating will be used, he said.

``We want to get it taken care of before other kids see it and decide it's a good thing to do,'' McGrane said.